Best Christmas present to date?
A handmade crib from my sweet father-in-law 
Inspired from The Land of Nod’s chocolate Meadowbrook crib, he modified the design a smidge and added his personal touch, European style. {He was born & raised in Holland and the crib has a Dutch feel to it… which is appropriate since this baby will have a Dutch name. TBA!} Anyhoo, Kelli had mentioned a way to distress furniture using candle wax and I wanted to give it a try. I found a great tutorial here but I wanted the original wood to show through, not an undercoat of paint, so I tailored the tute for my project.
Take a peek at the before, raw & smelling like fresh cut wood… mmm!
This was a fairly quick process but I had to take lots of breaks with little hands around so it took me a few nap times and getting up really early one morning to finish up 
Supplies:
To distress furniture using candle wax you will need a candle* paint, roller, sander, foam brush/water and polyurethane.
{*I’m a Scentsy girl and don’t have any wick candles in the house. Little hands, remember? Anyway I snagged a handful of used votives in a baggie at GW for $1.99 that included 2 unused Scentsy bar sets. Score!}
1. After wiping down leftover sawdust, rub candle wax on the areas you want the original wood to show through… corners, sides, etc:
2. Paint at least 2 coats and let dry… you can see how one coat shows the wax really well:
Note: The more coats, the shabbier the look when sanded
3. Sand the areas of the wax down l i g h t l y as the paint comes right off the waxed areas:
I didn’t like how bright the original wood now looked in contrast to the dark paint:
{Glazed wood on left, sanded raw wood on right}
I used a tip from Misses-Know-It-All {Kelli} and simply watered down my paint to make a glaze {Measurements: 3 parts water to 1 part paint} and rubbed it over the raw wood with a foam brush. Perfect:
After 3
coats of poly to polish it off, the crib is done:
coats of poly to polish it off, the crib is done:
Not the nursery, or crib bedding, but the crib itself
Kelli & I, although twins, are not the same when it comes to decorating. She can bust out a project lickity split {like last week’s tornado of starting and finishing her daughters room in a couple of days} but alas, I cannot. I am indecisive and too picky about how to stage things. Drives her nuts, I’m sure
In the meantime, here’s an updated belly shot:
I know, super cheesy face but my hubby has no patience taking pics! lol
In all honesty, I am surprised at how crazy pregnancy is that it automatically takes over your body. Pretty amazing, actually, how it’s doing all this work without my help. I thought women just gained a bit of weight and that was that… boy, was I wrong! I carry Tums around and eat them up like candy, toss & turn most nights due to discomfort, stopped wearing heels because my swollen feet won’t fit in them and pretty much gave up on dressing stylish… lol. It’s worth every pound of weight gain and ache though. I ♥ it!
Megan
First of all you have one amazing craftsman because that crib is adorable!!! Second your like the cutest preggo ever
Simply AJ
The crib is beautiful!! What an amazing gift and you did a fantastic job distressing. Love everything about it!! Thanks for sharing your updated belly shot… such a pretty Momma!! AJ@queenofmynest
Sims Family
Kristi, you are so lucky to have a father-in-law like that! It looks awesome and you look great, too!
Jeannie
Great tips. Both the candle wax and watering down the paint for a glaze! You are the most adorable pregnant girl…I wasn't!
Maxwellhouseinteriors.Blogspot.Com
Ashley J @ MommyByDayCrafterByNight
The crib is so cute! I love it!!
You look darling Kristi!!
Ashley J @ MommyByDayCrafterByNight
The crib is so cute! I love it!!
You look darling Kristi!!
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe}
Adorable crib, Kristi!!! And so extra special made by your dad.
You did a great job painting it!! And you look adorable to boot!
Sassy Sites!
ADORABLE!!! Both you and the crib!! Love ya!!
The {Prince} Family
Are u kidding?! U r super fast at projects too kris! But I will say I am just like u when it comes to decisions. And I KNOW that drives Kel nutso!!!
I have a week to get my freaking gallery wall done or ELSE. ( or else knows Kel sonic weekly until its done!!) I am sooooo picky about what pictures I want to use!!!!
The crib looks excellent and i cant wait to see it with kase's new bed. Hurry up!
The {Prince} Family
Are u kidding?! U r super fast at projects too kris! But I will say I am just like u when it comes to decisions. And I KNOW that drives Kel nutso!!!
I have a week to get my freaking gallery wall done or ELSE. ( or else knows Kel sonic weekly until its done!!) I am sooooo picky about what pictures I want to use!!!!
The crib looks excellent and i cant wait to see it with kase's new bed. Hurry up!
Kathy@DandelionsandDustBunnies
I have heard of that wax trick, but haven't actually used it. Yeah for 25 weeks – you're on the down slope now. Love the crib.
The Princes
You look amazing Kristi!!! Can't wait to find out what the name will be!
Heather
Melissa @ It's Fancy Schmancy
Wow it looks amazing!
I love your belly pictures. You will be glad you took those. I'm 38 weeks, and totally intended on taking more. Darn.
I was wondering what font you used on your picture. It's so cute!
Lolly Jane
Congrats, Melissa! You're almost there
Whoo hoo!
Love this font- free at DaFont.com:
http://www.dafont.com/halohandletter.font
Enjoy!
xoxo
DavesWife
What a {SWEET} crib!!! And Kristi you are looking Fabulous! I owe you big time for letting Kelli room with me at SNAP! ;0)
Melanie
I'd love for you to come link this up at the Tuesday Time Out Party!
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2012/01/tuesday-time-out-110.html#.TwzHupjlyGc
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}
Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}
Katie
Oh my goodness! This crib is absolutely amazing! I love the details, and the color turned out perfect! What a great gift! And "gave up on dressing stylish" my butt! You are one of the cutest pregnant gals I've ever seen! So cute!
Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy
Ohhhhh my goodness that crib is AMAZING and so so special I can't believe your father in law made it for you!!!! So perfect how you painted and distressed it too! anndddd I have to agree with everyone—you might just be the cutes prego gal ever!
Jaime
Steve
Awesome crib! I’m going to attempt to distress a changing table/dresser that my wife and I found at a thrift store.
One question for you: Did the poly stick well to the waxed areas, or did you have to sand all of the wax off before your first poly coat?
My wife is 21 weeks and she’s going to be stoked about this project!
lollyjane
Hi Steven!
The wax prevents the paint from adhering to the crib (giving it that cool weathered/distressed look) but it will repel the poly so a LIGHT sanding IS necessary. [I would suggest trying a test area on an inconspicuous area of the piece.] We’d love to see the “after” of your changing table/dresser! Good luck, have fun and CONGRATS on your upcoming bundle of joy!
kristen duke
that crib is awesome!